The Planning and Development Authority (PDA) is partnering with stakeholders to undertake a comprehensive demolition drive to remove illegal structures along the nation’s roadsides.
The ongoing initiative, which commenced in January 2024, aims to create a safer, and healthier environment by removing structures erected without permits, those in a state of disrepair, those occupying crown land without proper authorisation, and those obstructing public roads.
Unauthorised vending, roadside garages, and other illegal structures, as well as the illegal storage of vehicle debris, pose significant negative impacts on the environment and Grenada’s overall infrastructure.
These structures not only compromise public safety, but also contribute to visual clutter and the degradation of public spaces. The authority is also concerned that the erection of unauthorised structures and illegally stored material can become projectiles during adverse weather conditions.
Key objectives of the demolition drive include:
- Public Safety: Removal of structures that pose public health and safety risks
- Urban Aesthetics: Enhancing the visual appeal of the country by removing unsightly and unauthorised structures
- Compliance with Regulations: Enforcing zoning and licencing regulations to ensure that businesses operate within the confines of the law
- Infrastructure Optimisation: Improving the flow of traffic and accessibility by removing structures obstructing public roads and sidewalks
The Planning and Development Authority urges all affected vendors and property owners to co-operate and adhere to planning regulations.
People who vend in, or who occupy illegal structures are further advised to secure personal belongings and have the structures removed ahead of the planned PDA demolition operation.
The demolition drive is not intended to target legitimate businesses, but rather to create a safer and organised landscape development.
For inquiries related to the demolition drive, affected parties are encouraged to contact the PDA for guidance on Tel: 1 (473) 440-2471/4635 or visit the authority, to speak with a Planning Officer.
The PDA remains dedicated to fostering a vibrant, safe, and well-maintained environment, for citizens and visitors.
Planning and Development Authority
This should be done with deliberate sensitivity: there are some erected spaces that should be demolished. But there are also some that should be enhanced and formalized. Clear and transparent criteria should be used to decide on what to remove and what should stay. Just demolishing ALL of them is neither an objective nor just solution.
Please ensure your people are taken care of…The vulnerable in our Society. It seems to me some of us has short memories. No pun intended. However Beautifying ones environment is pleasing to the eyes of locals and visitors alike. But Please put the plight of ordinary Grenadians at HEART as well. And try to beautify their SPIRIT as well.
I applaud this sorely needed initiative. I have never seen so many abandoned vehicles on the side of the road in any other country. I also applaud the efforts to eradicate illegal constructions on both the roadside. This should be extended to include all our beaches.
I applaud this initiative that should have been done years ago but the last administration led by Keith Mitchell and Peter David have been the architect of this scourge as a means to get votes from persons who don’t vote any way with the same tired excuse they have to eat a food.well eat the food within the confines of the law.
Hi Raphel, I appreciate your comments regarding the cleanup initiative, as you stated this should have been done many years ago. the Keith Mitchel administration has taken advantage of some of our most vulnerable citizens, for his own political ambitions. most of these structures should have never been erected, now it makes it much more difficult to remove them after being there for so many years, I do applaud the efforts and look forward to the new Grenada.
The irony is, that the same people who are criticizing the government for destroying the livelihoods of the so-called “poor and vulnerable” by clearing these roadside shacks, will be the first ones to come out and blame the government for not taking action in the likely event of a hurricane/storm causing these structures to break away and injuring or kill someone.
Can these Planning people please address the ridiculous environmental destruction at La Sagesse and Levera before going after poor people? Where are the checks on the “degradation of public spaces” for rich foreigners?
Your comment is the embodiment of the kind of thinking we need to rid ourselves of. Does it matter who breaks the law? All law breakers are a cost.
I appreciate the comments of identifying the ignorance of some of our people, when will it end.
Hotels are being built in Levera and La Sagesse which are very good for the growth and development of the country it can benefit the very same “poor people” if they find jobs there. It is time we get rid of these shacks that make the place look like a poor third world country.
Very necessarily and perfect timing.
Step 2 should be the construction of multi level parking in several areas of St Georges especially utilizing the hillsides. Also the provision of parking areas throughout the country all of which would be paid and monitored utilizing stickers.
People wake and look around you..previous government did very little/ nothing to enhance our environment.
It’s about time because our little island needs a lot of tlc at this time .
We also have to address the parking situation in the capital ,they should be no free parking in the city Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm .
We have sufficient traffic wardens on shift to handle the illegal parking during that period.
Next we need to remove all vehicles that don’t have a current sticker or not in a working condition.
Also no parking on roads where only one vehicle can use at a given time .
Introduce Red Zone for some areas which will help with traffic movement.
It’s about time. 50 years celebration deserves some improvement in our ability to recognize that it is our mindset that has to be adjusted.